FF: Spinning a Yarn

Hello! Hope you are having a super day. Here’s my attempt to participate in the weekly flash fiction party hosted by Rochelle where everyone is welcome to join. Click here to read the other stories inspired by the photo prompt below.

PHOTO PROMPT Β© Ted Strutz

Spinning a Yarn

Words 100

β€œI want my order on the 15th,” the customer said.

β€œBut Madam,” Rekha pleaded, β€œ30th was the agreed date. Chikankari* is handmade, it’s time-consuming and back-breaking ….”

β€œI can pay extra.”

β€œThey’re award winning artisans, one can’t just order…”

β€œHow about 30% extra?”

β€œIβ€˜ll request them.”

 β€œSo darn hot!” Rekha moaned at her artisan’s makeshift shop, a mat, under the banyan tree.

The wizened woman looked up from her embroidery.

β€œWhen will my order be ready?”

β€œAnother 10 days.”

β€œ5 days.”

β€œSorry Madamji. My son isn’t well and my…”

β€œNot my business. For each day’s delay, I will deduct 10%.

***

A/N * Chikankari is the technique of creation of a chikan work, which is a delicate hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics. Traditional chikankari is white floral embroidery on soft pastel shades of light muslin and cotton. You may visit this link for more information

Thanks for visiting. Would love to know your thoughts. Have a great day πŸ™‚

Published by

Dahlia

Email me at mysilverstreaks@gmail.com or tweet me @mysilverstreaks

52 thoughts on “FF: Spinning a Yarn”

      1. So it was Rekha who was dealing with the artisan, thought it was the customer who was dealing with the artisan. Got it all wrong. Sorry for reading and misunderstanding all wrong and thanks for clearing it.

        Chinnulu

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  3. Rekha has a hard heart. She knows the conditions the artisan is forced to work in, and uses her poverty and troubles to force compliance. I suspect that many specialty items are produced under such circumstances. A moving story, and well told.

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  9. Well-told Dahlia and brutal people willing to exploit the most impoverished and yet I am guilty myself of wanting a bargain and to get something cheap or at least affordable which is worth far more.
    Thank you btw for making me aware of Chikankari embroidery. It certainly looks familiar and I read a few interesting articles about it. Very beautiful with an interesting back story and good to hear there are moves to preserve it.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

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  19. If she offered an extra 30% to have it sooner it seems reasonable to rescind that offer in increments such as she states. however, if she is deducting percentages of the original price, when she was clearly informed that this kind of work requires time, then yes, find another customer who is more reasonable and appreciative.

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  21. Great story, Dahlia and I’ve learned something new–Chikankari embroidery. You can tell by its delicate intricacy that it can be time consuming. Thanks for sharing the link πŸ™‚ Rekha made it appear that there were more than one artisan working for her but it sounds like it’s just the one who’s working under a banyan tree in the heat.

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